Automobile safety-signal.



R. A. STIERLIN.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12. 1914.

1 ,1 97,563 Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

lVfT/VESSES:

A TTORNIZY.

RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, ltlllfi'v.

Application filed September 12, 1914. Serial No. 861,362.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN, a citizen of the United States,and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Automobile Safety-Signals, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in an automobile safety signal,and has for its object an indicator box conveniently located on theautomobile so that the same can be observed from the rear, and anelectrical mechanism whereby anyone of the compartments can beilluminated to indicate to the party following in which direction themachine is to travel, and also to indicate when the machine is to stop;all of which is to be operated by the driver from any convenientlocation either on the steering wheel, seat or body of the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal method to beoperated by the driver in the form of an illuminating.

section simultaneously creating an alarm so as to call the attention ofthe party following, indicating to him the direction in which themachine is to travel; the alarm operating the entire time that any ofthe compartments are illuminated, and in addition to the signalingdevice there is a circuit shunting with a spark switch to act as analarm when the machine is at a stand still and interfered with by anyoneother than the driver.

Figure 1, is a front View of the signal box which constitutes a part ofmy invention. Fig. 2, is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig.3, is a diagrammatic view showing the connection and circuit by whichthe signal and alarm are operated.

ln carrying out my invention ll provide a casing in the form of a box orreceptacle 4, made either elongated as shown or any other shape founddesirable or preferable. The said box being divided preferably in threecompartments 5, 6, and 7, and separated by division walls 8. The frontof each compartment is provided with a transparent plate 9, such asglass and the like, and on the face is imprinted a design or word asthat shown in the illustration.

On the transparent plate of the two end compartments is indicated a handwhich points to the right and left; in the center the word Stop. Thetype of the word and the hands are transparent, and the background ofthe rest of the plate is opaque so that the Word or the design will beclearly in view when anyone of the compartments is properly illuminated.In each of these compartments is located a reflector 10, and in eachreflector a lamp or bulb 11, 12 and v 13, which is an electricalconnection as that shown in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 3. Beneath thebox or casing 4, is located a fourth compartment 14, in which is locatedan alarm device 15, which may'either be a bell, buzzer, horn, or anyother device which will sound an alarm and can be electrically operated.This alarm may be located at the rear or on top of the casing, as founddesirable.

Referring to Fig. 3, the diagrammatic view, 16, 17, and 18 indicate pushbuttons which may be located on the steering wheel, or on the vehicleconvenient to the operator. One line 19, of the electric circuit leadingfrom each of the pushes to the alarm device 15. From the alarm 15, tothe battery 20, is a connection 21. Each one of the lamps-11, 12, and 13is connected to the battery by the line 22. From the push 18, to theopposite pole of the lamp is a connection 23, which when the circuit isclosed will complete a circuit which will illuminate the lamp 11 andsimultaneously operate the alarm 15. From the push button 17, to thelamp 12 is a connection 24:, which when the circuit is closed willilluminate the lamp 12, and simultaneously operate the alarm. From thepush button 16, to the lamp 13, is a connection 25, which when thecircuit is closed will illuminate the lamp 13, and simultaneouslyoperate the alarm. By this connection either one of the lights can beseparately operated but the alarm will be sounded by the manipulation ofeither one of the buttons. The current is supplied either by the battery21, as described or any other current produ ing device which may belocated on an automobile.

In addition to the circuit as described for operating the signal andcausing the alarm, I provide an additional safety device which willcause an alarm whenever any person should tamper with the machine or tryto start the machine in the act of theft. Each machine is properlyequipped with what is termed a spark switch 26, which is in the form,either of a knife switch, throw switch, or plug switch; this is usuallylocated on the dash of the machine and usually disfor any length oftime.

In the vehicle in some concealed location which is secret to theoperator I place the switch 27, this switch is normally disconnectedwhen the machine is in operation but when stopping the machine andleaving the same on a sidlng the switch 27, is thrown in and the sparkswitch-26 thrown out. From the spark switch to the alarm is a connecthemachine is closed, and a switch for placing the second circuit in andout of opera- ,tion substantially as specified.

2. A device of the class described comprising an indicator in the formof a signal box divided into compartments; a transparent plate coveringthe front of each'compartment, each plate having an indicator to be tion28; from the alarm to the battery the plainly viewed when thecompartment is usual connection 21; from the battery to the switch 27,the connection 29, and from the switch 27 to the switch 26, theconnection 30. By this arrangement if anyone tries to start the machine,and in order to do so it is necessary to throw in the spark switch whichwould immediately sound the alarm, which would have a tendency to callthe owner or frighten away the party tampering with the machine.

Having fully described my invention what I claim is: 1

1. An automobile safety signal comprising a casing conveniently locatedon the rear of.an automobile to -be observed from the rear; an alarm; anindicator plate located on the face of the casing to be illuminated byclosing a circuit and simultaneously opilluminated; an alarmconveniently located in the casing; an electric circuit arranged to beoperated by push buttons operated by the driver simultaneouslyilluminating one of the compartments and sounding the alarm; a separatealarm circuit shunted with a spark switch by which the alarm is soundedif the spark gap is tampered with, and a switch for controlling theshort circuit substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inpresence of two subscribing witnesses.

RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN.

Witnesses I F. C. STIERLIN, WALTER C. STEIN

